The tiny Gulf country of Qatar is in crisis. Over the past few weeks, members of the Gulf Cooperation Council have systematically sought to isolate and suffocate the country, accusing Qatar of supporting extremism, severing diplomatic ties, and calling upon their allies to do the same.

It is not only a diplomatic crisis, but a crisis for free expression in an already restrictive region. As some analysts have pointed out, the singling out of Qatar has as much to do with the countrys alleged support of terrorism as it does with neighboring countries desire to shutter Al Jazeera, Qatars flagship media organization.

Al Jazeera, a comprehensive media outlet funded by the Qatari government with several international satellite television channels, websites, and online video operations, is not exactly a beacon of free expressionit rarely reports negatively on Qatar or other Gulf countries, for examplebut it has stood strong in its reporting on the Arab region and much of the world, covering topics that other outlets often ignore.

Although the country restricts access to some websites and outlaws criticism of its rulers, it has nevertheless set itself apart as a regional media leader. Al Araby Al Jadeed (The New Arab) and Huffington Post Arabi are just two of the online media outlets to emerge from the country in recent years.

Its Gulf neighborsnamely Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)offer a much more restrictive online environment, with each blocking numerous websites, including international media. Now, as they seek to isolate Qatar, theyre homing in on its media and using the internet as a means to an end.

It all began just a few days after President Trumps May 22 meeting with Gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia, when Qatar News Agency (QNA) published comments critical of the United States attributed to the countrys ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Al Jazeera claimed QNA's site had been hacked, but satellite channels from the UAE and Saudi Arabia reported the comments as legitimate and subsequently blocked Al Jazeeras main website on May 24.

From there, things escalated quickly: on May 25, Egypt blocked access to Al Jazeera and other Qatari-funded news sites, and took the opportunity to also block local independent site Mada Masr. Saudi Arabia and Jordanfollowed suit by revoking Al Jazeeras license and closing its offices.

And now, under the pretext of cybercrime (a favored means of repression in the region), Qatars neighbors are seeking to prosecute anyone who speaks favorably about the country. The UAE has threatened up to 15 years in prison or debilitating fines for anyone who shows sympathy to embattled Qatar, while Bahrains Ministry of Interior announced penalties of up to five years imprisonment on their website. SaudiNews tweeted that the government of Saudi Arabia would impose up to five years imprisonment for pro-Qatar speech as well, on the grounds of the countrys 2007 cybercrime law, which bans material impinging on public order. The kingdom took their restrictions a step further, banning satellite TV from hotels to prevent visitors from watching Al Jazeera. Finally, on June 8, Al Jazeera suffered a massive cyberattack.

These restrictions, as well as restrictions on travel to and from Qatar, are pushing the embattled country into isolation and threatening the economy and livelihood of Qatars residents and citizens. But they also set a dangerous precedent in an already extremely restrictive environment for freedom of expression: the use of economic and travel sanctions to shut down a powerful media outlet and further, punish anyone who speaks out against that act.

As a media leader in the region, Qatar has an important role of providing news coverage to citizens in the Gulf and beyond. And while press freedom still has a long way to go in Qatar, further suppression of human rights by members of the GCC is not the answer. EFF condemns the Council's attempts to sever diplomatic ties with the country and silence Qatari media outlets, like Al Jazeera, under the guise of combating terrorism. Supporting Qatar's media environment, and helping it become more free, is an imperative.

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Qatar's Crisis is About Freedom of Expression - EFF

I am an immigrant to the United States born in South Korea. My parents fled the North to escape communism. I understand the important relationship that exists between the United States and Korea. It is a history that is forged in blood and sacrifice.

During the Korean War, about 140,000 South Koreans and more than 35,000 Americans gave their lives to stop the spread of communism and bring freedom to all Koreans.

After the war, the United States continued to aid Korea with financial and military assistance that helped with Koreas post-war recovery. The U.S. continues to support Korea to this day. Nearly 30,000 Americans are stationed in South Korea, risking their lives every day to defend freedom on the peninsula.

North Koreas unstable communist dictator, Kim Jong-un, continues to test ballistic missiles, increasing the threat to the Republic of Korea and freedom in the Pacific.

Of course the previous American presidential administrations laissez-faire attitude toward North Koreas belligerence are in part to blame for making us more vulnerable to its increasing threats.

The constant threat of North Korea, not only to the U.S. national security but to our allies in the Pacific, is becoming more concerning. North Korea poses a physical threat to our allies, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Dealing with an unhinged oppressive leader is not something unfamiliar to the United States. However, the previous administrations diminishing of the number of troops and military funding, increasingly aggressive actions and changes in leadership there are cause to be anxious. The scandal and impeachment of President Park Geun-hye and recent election of President Moon Jae-in in the South have created an even greater concern with the instability of the region. The change in leadership in the South and the reckless aggression in the North is a dangerous combination for our regional allies.

Therefore, it is now more important than ever to ensure our alliances in the area continue to be strong. We cant afford to allow either Japan or the Republic of Korea to be threatened by such unpredictable power in the region.

The United States is resolved to remain loyal to its longtime allies. It is even more important for Koreans to understand what is on the table and to trust the United States. We understand the importance and the great mutual advantages of our alliance.

Ranked as the 11th largest economy in the world, the Republic of Korea has continued to grow as a global power. Once a recipient of U.S. aid, in 2010 the Republic of Korea became a member of the Development Assistance Committee and officially moved from an aid recipient to a donor; managing to become an official democracy and global power in only a few short decades.

Now is not the time to create greater turmoil with South Korea, which is still unstable from its latest election. However, it is important the new leaders understand the people of the United States will not be patient and complacent when it comes to matters of security. If forced, the United States could be put in the position to take preemptive action against the North.

Both Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Vice President Mike Pence have shared after their visits to Korea the continual use and testing of ballistic missiles by the North is unacceptable, and the new leadership in the South should understand the United States wants to see immediate change concerning the North.

As Pence stated during his trip to the Demilitarized Zone, the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States is ironclad. Our loyalties will always remain with our allies in the Pacific. In return, it is their loyalty we will need in order to ensure our mutual protection, safety and continued freedom.

Surfside resident MICHELLE STEEL serves on the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

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Mutual trust will help ensure freedom in the Pacific - Los Angeles Times

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Let's talk about parks: The extraordinary nature knowledge of freedom seekers Pittsburgh Post-Gazette This proved essential for survival and was a key element of the journey from slavery to freedom. During the antebellum period of the 19th century, Pittsburgh and other northern cities became destinations of freedom, and many freedom seekers passed ...

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Let's talk about parks: The extraordinary nature knowledge of freedom seekers - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

VP Leni Robredo leads the flag raising ceremony and wreath laying during the 119th Independence day celebration held at Rizal Park in Manila. also in photo from left: Executive Sec Salvador Medialdea and DFA Sec Alan Peter Cayetano. INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

Tired and not feeling well, President Duterte skipped his first Independence Day rites at Rizal Park in Manila on Monday.

In his stead, Vice President Leni Robredo led the flag-raising and wreath-laying at the monument of national hero Jose Rizal.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the President was not feeling well after visiting on Sunday afternoon soldiers wounded in the fighting in Marawi City and then condoling later in the evening with the families of the slain Marines.

You know that the President has been working 24/7meeting the troops, meeting the commandersand then late last night visiting the wounded and those who died, Cayetano told reporters at Rizal Park. Its nothing to worry about its just that hes not feeling well, tired and lacking in sleep.

I dont have the full details but I received the call around 5:30 this morning and I talked to his people and inquired and was told that theres no problem. Hes OK but tired and doesnt feel that well. Its better to rest, he said.

Mr. Duterte went to Villamor Air Base after arriving in Manila from Mindanao to condole with the families of eight of the 13 Marines who were slain in Marawi on Friday. He then went to the Philippine Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio to visit the wake of two other Marines killed in Marawi.

Palace event canceled

Last week, Malacaang canceled the traditional Independence Day vin dhonneur reception at the Palace so that Mr. Duterte could attend to pressing matters in Mindanao.

He doesnt feel giving a toast while soldiers are dying and evacuees are in provinces surrounding Marawi, Cayetano said.

As you know, the target was to liberate Marawi today, June 12, but as you can see yourselves the problem is complex and there are so many developments but we hope to resolve this once and for all, he added.

The heroism of government troops who died battling terrorists in Marawi was extolled in separate celebrations in Kawit, Cavite province, where the nations independence from Spain was proclaimed 119 years ago, and at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan province, which hosted the assembly that established the first Philippine Republic in 1899.

Modern Katipuneros

Many lives have been lost in the fighting, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit. I would like to honor our countrys modern-day Katipuneros: the soldiers and policemen, who day and night offer their lives in the name of public service to protect peace and our safety against criminality and other plagues of the society.

Lacson said that fighting for the country did not end when President Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence in 1898. He said freedom should not be a mere chapter of history but something that had to be protected for the sake of generations to come.

He told reporters he would also support a move by Cavite representatives to declare March 22, the birth date of Aguinaldo, a national holiday.

On the Barasoain Church grounds in the City of Malolos in Bulacan province, Sen. Loren Legarda led a moment of silence as a wreath was offered for the soldiers, policemen and civilians killed in the fighting with Islamist terrorists in Marawi.

Legarda said it was fitting to dedicate the Independence Day celebration to those who have invested their lives for freedom.

In his speech at Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City, Sen. Sonny Angara called for unity in the face of the Marawi conflict.

Theres a mix of sadness in todays celebration of our Independence Day upon hearing the 11 p.m. news that 58 soldiers and policemen have died due to the clashes in Marawi City, he said, adding he hoped that the conflict in Mindanao would soon be resolved.

Seeds of revolution

The Battle of Pinaglabanan in August 1896 resulted in the great losses to Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan but it lit the fire and planted the seeds of revolution that eventually resulted in the proclamation of independence in 1898.

In the morning, the Philippine flag was raised simultaneously in San Juan City and other historical parts of the country.

Let us unite so that our prayers would reach the citizens, that amid the violence and turmoil, they will be safe and that our police and soldiers would gain the strength and courage to keep fighting for our flag, Angara said.

In Angeles City in Pampanga province, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan urged Filipinos to pray for peace in Marawi and for the eternal repose of the fallen troops.

During a dramatization of the countrys revolutionary struggles for freedom, local artists performed a skit about the clashes between government troops and terrorists in Marawi.

In her Independence Day message, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno urged the Filipino people to remember those who have fought for and continue to fight for our countrys freedom and sovereignty.

Sereno skipped the flag-raising ceremony and Independence Day rites at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City as she attended the preliminary conference of the oral arguments on the three petitions challenging President Dutertes martial law proclamation in Mindanao, according to Theodore Te, the Supreme Court spokesperson.

The judiciary pays homage to all Filipino heroes, draws inspiration from them, reflects with sorrow on the fallen in Marawi and renews its commitment to the people to defend their freedoms, Sereno said.

We celebrate the valor of our fallen heroes present and past, all of who sacrificed lives and wealth, safety and comfort, she added.

Just and humane

In his first Independence Day message as foreign secretary, Cayetano said the Philippines remained in good standing in the international community as the country faced threats of terrorism and crimes.

He insisted that the country would pursue an independent foreign policy while the Duterte administration continued the fight for freedom from poverty, crime, illegal drugs and corruption.

He also hailed the more than 10 million Filipino workers who labored overseas to provide for their families at home.

As a nation, we Filipinos on bended knees implore the aid of Almighty God to guide us to maintain a just and humane society, especially amid the threats of international terrorism and international crimes, Cayetano said, without mentioning the militarys campaign to dislodge terrorists entrenched in Marawi.

At the same time, we stand tall as Filipinos as the Philippines is a responsible and respected member of the community of nations, he said.

Last week, 32 countries from Europe expressed deep concern over extrajudicial killings related to the antidrug campaign and urged the government to allow the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, to investigate without preconditions or limitations. WITH REPORTS FROM MARICAR CINCO, MARLON RAMOS, DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN, JODEE A. AGONCILLO, CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE, VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. AND TONETTE OREJAS

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.

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VP leads Freedom Day rites - Inquirer.net

GENEVA A senior Japanese diplomat and a U.N. rights expert traded barbs Monday at the U.N. Human Rights Council over a report released in May that criticized Tokyos record on freedom of opinion and expression.

David Kaye, the U.N. special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, cited significant worrying signals in his report, including government pressure on media and restrictions on information access justified on national security grounds.

It is regrettable that some parts of the report are written without accurate understanding of the governments explanation and its positions, Japanese Ambassador to Geneva Junichi Ihara said in his statement to the Council.

Regarding Japans broadcasting law, in which Article 4 theoretically provides the government with the basis to suspend broadcasting licenses if TV stations are not considered politically fair, Ihara said that the act does not give rise to any pressure on the media.

There were no cases in which the operation suspension order was applied by the Broadcast Act, he said.

In his statement, Kaye argued that the authority of the government to suspend broadcast licenses on grounds of fairness, even if the government has never taken advantage of that authority, presents a certain measure of risk for any broadcaster, one that the government would do well to remove.

Ihara also responded to Kayes concern about a contentious secrecy law aimed at preventing leaks and state secrets that took effect in 2014, under which civil servants or others who leak designated secrets could face up to 10 years in prison. Those who instigate leaks, including journalists, could be subject to prison terms of up to five years.

In his report, Kaye said the law involved the risk of arbitrariness because specific subcategories under which information may be designated as secret remained overly broad.

Information designed as specially designated secrets is limited under strict conditions, Ihara said, adding that information gathering activities performed by journalists are not punishable under the act.

Kayes report, presented on Monday to the Human Rights Council, is the result of the first-ever research on freedom of expression in Japan conducted by a U.N. special rapporteur.

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Japan, rights expert trade barbs over Tokyo's record on freedom of expression - The Japan Times

House Republicanleaders are negotiating a tax overhaul with their counterparts in the Senate and the White House, but another group of GOP lawmakersis signaling ittoo must be included in any deal.

House Freedom Caucus leaders are layingout their ideas for overhauling the tax code that, together witha related proposal for getting a budget deal,is likely to set them up for a fight with GOP leaders and tax writers.

Most of the four principles for a tax overhaul that Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows and three other caucus members unveiled at a Heritage Foundation event Friday are not major deviations from the House GOP leaders framework though there are some notable differences.

But perhaps more striking were the ideas the Freedom Caucus members made clear they were not pushing a revenue neutral bill and the inclusion of the border adjustment tax, both linchpins of leaderships plan.

The caucus members also offered a wildcard idea of adding a welfare overhaul to the yet-unwritten reconciliation instructions for a tax rewrite, something they argue would perhaps convince them to accept a larger topline spending figure in the fiscal 2018 budget resolution.

Amid all of those ideas is an urgency to move quickly. We should have a real proposal that we start debating before we leave at the end of July, Meadows said. But if not, weve already taken a formal position: We believe that we need to stay in through August until we get it done.

The North Carolina Republican suggested that lawmakers move the ball closer to that goal post by agreeing to four principles within the next four weeks.

The Freedom Caucuss four principles for a tax overhaul are:

House Republican leaders A Better Way plan does call for lowering the current 35 percent corporate tax rate to 20 percent but proposes a 25 percent rate for small business organized as passthrough companies, whichare taxedat individual rates that currently top out at 39.6 percent.

Leaderships plan would also allow businesses to write off the full cost of certain investments in the tax year that theyre incurred something the Freedom Caucus is open to with modifications to account for businesses that borrow money for investing rather than use cash and nearly double the standard deduction for individuals.

The biggest gapbetween the two proposalsis on repatriation of offshore earnings.

GOP leaders plan would institute a mandatory tax on existing offshore earnings of 8.75 percent for cash assets and 3.5 percent for nonliquid assets. Unlike the Freedom Caucus proposal, which seeks to incentivize companies to bring offshore earnings back to the U.S. in exchange for a lower tax rate, leaderships plan would require U.S.-based companies to pay the repatriationtax regardless of whether they bring their offshore money home.

While the differences between the Freedom Caucuss four principles and leaderships framework are not minor, they could be worked through. But the red line the caucus has drawnagainst the border adjustment tax is more problematic for House leadership.

There is not consensus for the border adjustment tax, Meadows said. The sooner we acknowledge that and get on with a plan that actually works and actually can build consensus, the better off well be.

The border adjustment tax, or BAT, is a proposal to tax imports instead of exports, reversing the way the United States taxes goods crossing its borders. House GOP leaders, namely Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin and Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady of Texas, have pushed for the tax as a way to discourage U.S. companies from moving operations overseas and to raise roughly $1 trillion in revenue to partially offset an ambitious corporate tax rate cut. But the idea has faced steep opposition from within their own party Meadows and others have argued, that its politically unfeasible to pass.

I think its lost a lot of momentum, said Rep.Warren Davidson, a Freedom Caucusmember. The Ohio Republicansaid he could actually live with the BAT as part of a larger tax overhaul but the problem is that leadership still has not offered a proposal on how to implement it.

Ryan and Brady have shown no interest in letting go of the BAT but say theyre open to better ideas for raising revenue and preventing tax base erosion, which could be triggered by a flood of U.S. taxpayers, primarily businesses, moving to lower tax jurisdictions.

Even if Congress could cut the corporate rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, as House GOP leaders have proposed, or 15 percent, as President Donald Trump has called for, the United States would still have a higher tax rate than some other developed nations.

The Freedom Caucus members did not specify an alternative to the BAT for preventing tax base erosion, but they saidthe revenue is not needed because they dont adhere to the principle that an overhaul needs to be revenue neutral, which would requirethe same amount of tax money tocontinue flowing into the Treasury as under current law.

What is not in those principles is this concept of revenue neutrality, said Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, a caucus member and former chairman of the group. Letting families keep more of their money is not a cost to government. It is a freedom.

Since Republicans are planning to use the budget reconciliation process to advance their tax bill, the measure must be deficit neutral for the tax overhaul to be considered permanent. GOP leaders saytemporary tax cuts that would expire at the end of the 10-year budget window like the George W. Bush tax cuts whose expiration led to the 2012-2013 fiscal cliff is not an option, but the Freedom Caucus isntruling that out.

Some of the tax cuts could be temporary so you dont need to get full deficit neutral, but were hoping to get close to that, Jordan said.

An idea that Jordan proposed that could help achieve the needed savings is adding a welfare overhaul to the reconciliation instructions for the tax bill. The Freedom Caucus is looking at taking an official position, suggesting that as a possible trade-off to them supporting a budget deal with larger topline spending number for fiscal 2018, Jordan said.

Right now a budget cannot pass in the House of Representatives, he said.

Absent a budget deal along those lines, House Republicans will struggle like they did last year to pass a budget resolution, Jordan said. House Republicans need to pass and reconcile a budget resolution with the Senate to execute the GOPs procedural strategy for advancing a tax overhaul. An agreement on the topline spending number is also needed for appropriators to begin moving fiscal 2018 spending bills.

If someone can come up with a better idea than the one were putting forward were all ears, Jordan said. But no one can. So we think thats the key in the short term to do all the things we promised the American people.

Meadows said Jordans welfare overhaul plan would result in roughly $400 billion in savings, and with that and the tax ideas the Freedom Caucus is discussing, a deficit neutral reconciliation bill is possible. It should get us there, he said, noting, though,that temporary tax cuts represent afallback plan.

The divisions among House Republicans about how to approach a tax overhaul are complicated by the fact that GOP leaders are striving to come up with a single, unified plan that also has the support of the Senate and White House. The gaps amongthe Republican power structures are fairly wide.

Right now on tax reform theres disagreement in the House, theres disagreement in the Senate, theres disagreement between the House and the Senate and theres disagreement with the administration, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said at a Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington on Thursday. Other than that, we are all on the same page.

Joe Williams contributed to this report.

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Freedom Caucus Sets Up Battle With Leadership Over Taxes - Roll Call

BHUBANESWAR: The NDA government believes in freedom of press as it wants a vibrant media for betterment of democracy, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said today.

"We will never compromise on press freedom. The government will never interfere except when the issue relates to national security, unity and integrity of the country and the established social order comes under threat," he said.

The Modi government has come under fire over the recent CBI raids on the homes and head offices of Delhi-based NDTV. Many journalists have termed the incident as muzzling the press freedom.

"You can see how much criticism the government faces from the media. Even the prime minister is criticised, but the government never meddles with it," Naidu said.

He said a Delhi-based national daily "never hesitates to write 'worst' on Narendra Modi."

"But we have not reacted," he said, adding giving a political colour to the NDTV case is "unfortunate".

Rejecting allegations of attack on freedom of press in the NDTV case, the BJP leader said, "The ongoing investigation against NDTV is in no way an attack on press freedom. It will be better if they (NDTV) cooperate with the ongoing probe."

The Union minister was here to attend a 'Sabka Saath Sabka Bikas' programme.

"Is it wrong if there is a probe on an allegation against management or owner of a media company? Shouldn't an allegation be probed?" he asked.

He said the allegations against the NDTV were made way back in 2011-12 when Narendra Modi was in Gujarat.

"The allegation was made when Manmohanji was the Prime Minister, Chidambaram a minister and Rahul Gandhi was managing the government," he said.

Meanwhile, a group of journalists here staged a demonstration during Naidu's visit.

Excerpt from:

No attack on freedom of press: Venkaiah Naidu - Economic Times

The Handmaids Tales season ender comes out this week, and it couldnt be timelier. Because as fictional as the Republic of Gilead is, the terror it presents feel realtoo real, in fact, that it got me reflecting on what independence truly means, today of all days.

I remember a passage from chapter five of the Margaret Atwood novel from which the Hulu TV series is based on: Theres more than one kind of freedom, the handmaid Offred reflected. Freedom to, and freedom from. In the days of anarchy, it was freedom to. Now, you are being given freedom from. Dont underrate it. This is what she was told at Gileads re-education center, where the reformer Aunts try to convince Handmaids that their status as sex slaves/breeders who dont have their own money but are physically looked after by the state is a good one.

Offred then recalls her life before Gilead, when she was still recognized as June Osbornemother, wife, friend, daughterand was free to practice her civil rights: the right to find employment, to own property, to have a family, and to have agency over her body and her life. That freedom came at a price, though: Women were not protected then. I remember the rules, rules that were never spelled out but that every woman knew: Dont open your door to a stranger, even if he says hes the police; make him slide his ID under the door. Dont stop on the road to help a motorist pretending to be in trouble; keep the locks on and keep going. If anyone whistles, dont turn to look. Dont go into a Laundromat by yourself at night. I think about Laundromats [and] what I wore to them: shorts, jeans, jogging pants. What I put into them: my own clothes, my own soap, my own money. Money I had earned myself. I think about having such control.

Now, as she walks to and from her Commanders home and the marketplace, she notes the kind of quietness that the new world order has created: We walk along the same street and no man on the street shouts obscenities at us, speaks to us, touches us. No one whistles.

Freedom to, freedom from. Expressed in these terms, the concept of independence takes on more gravitas and becomes more binding even as it is freeing. Theres always a trade-off, a responsibility attached to every liberty, which is something that people conveniently forget. Like when it comes to freedom of speech: Were free to express incendiary opinions in public, but that doesnt mean were free from other people making use of the same freedom to criticize and counter what we say. Freedom to exercise ones civil rights doesnt mean freedom from consequences, especially when we overstep boundaries and impinge on the rights of others. And when we support ideologies and policies that propose doing away with certain rights in the name of pursuing peace and order, like suspending the writ of habeas corpus and other forms of freedom from following due process, we shouldnt be delusional and believe that wed be exempt from this erasure.

This is what Serena Joy, one of the Wives in The Republic of Gilead, got to learn the hard way: As one of the early and vocal proponents of Gileads policies to subjugate women and take away their rights, she had thought that her role in the establishment of the new order would make her the exemption rather than the rule. Sooner rather than later, though, she finds herself limited by the oppressive theocracy she had helped put in place. In the end, shes still just a Wife bearing the indignity of supporting a Handmaid in her home, a few rungs above the rest when it comes to power, but ultimately bound by the rules that keep all women down.

Serena Joy is a lot like Martial Law deniers and Marcos apologists, those who believe that an iron fist could run a country better. Freedom from is all they can focus on, even at the cost of freedom to, cherry-picking whatever fits their narrative from the stories of those who had lived under the Marcos dictatorship.

Among the younger deniers and apologists, the irony is real: their golden ideas about what Martial Law was like and what it did to the country skip over the fact that the avenues that allow them to spread their navet now wouldnt have been possible under a dictatorship. They dont seem to get that their freedom to log online and shut down anyone with an opinion contrary to theirs was made possible by those who had fought the governments insistence on enforcing freedom from any dissenting thought.

Freedom to, freedom fromdeciding which is better is not a matter of listing each columns pros and cons and tallying their sums. The latter operates by limitation disguised as protection, and its danger lies in determining who decides what and how much to limit because it hands over power to only a very few.

Freedom to, on the other hand, is an expansion, but must also be tempered with the responsibility of ensuring that everyone else receives sufficient elbow room to move and grow. Its responsible, self-actualizing liberty, not a free-for-all anarchy. We can all benefit from remembering this.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

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Have We Ever Thought About the Cost of Today's Freedom? - Inquirer.net

KINGSLEY, Iowa | Artist Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II has begun work on the Plymouth County Freedom Rock in Kingsley.

Sorensen's artwork on the nine-ton boulder, set near the Kingsley Community Center, will pay tribute to all Plymouth County veterans. Its four faces will include depictions of the American flag, an eagle with the words "Plymouth County" and tributes to local veterans and men who died in service.

On the east face, Sorensen is creating likenesses to Pvt. Isaac Gripp and Spc. Chad Groepper, the first and last Plymouth County servicemen who have died.

"I'm not just paying tribute to these two, but rather I'm using them kind of as bookends in which we can include everyone else between these two men," Sorensen said.

The west face will include patches from the National Guard in Le Mars from the Civil War through the War on Terror.

The north face will pay tribute to Jim and John Nicholson, two highly decorated veterans from Struble, Iowa.

Preparation for the painting included acquiring a large rock and transporting it to its spot near the Community Center. In May, new concrete was poured around the rock and will include plaques for each branch of service, as well as benches, flag poles and the Nash Post Veterans Memorial.

The dedication for the Plymouth County Freedom Rock will take place at 5 p.m. June 24 at the community center. The city, which is currently accepting donations, will hold a freewill offering during a street dance that evening. On July 31, proceeds from performances of the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus will go toward the Freedom Rock. The circus will perform at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sorensen, of Greenfield, Iowa, has been painting the original Freedom Rock near Greenfield for 19 years. This is his fifth year traveling across Iowa on his Freedom Rock Tour.This is the 60th Freedom Rock Sorensen has painted in an Iowa county. He has commitments for 95 of the state's 99 counties.

Upon completion of the Freedom Rock in Kingsley, Sorensen will commence work on the Woodbury County Freedom Rock in Anthon, located at the Anthon Community Center, where officials set the boulder on Thursday. Sorensen's work in Anthon will likely begin at the end of next week and will last seven to 10 days while he stays in Anthon. He will then move on to the Ida County Freedom Rock at Holstein, Iowa.

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Work begins on Plymouth County Freedom Rock - Sioux City Journal

Starter Zach Wendorf battled command issues in his 2017 debut as the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, came up short of a series sweep in a 9-4 loss to the Washington Wild Thingson Sundayat UC Health Stadium.

The Wild Things (14-13) got the scoring started in the second inning against Wendorf (0-1) when a ground-rule double by John Fidanza plated Mike Hill, who had walked. Hill later put Washington ahead 2-0in the third inning when his single off Wendorf scratched across an unearned run, as Alexander Fernandez benefited from an error by Freedom (18-9) third baseman Conner Tekyl.

The game proved became a back-and-forth affair early, as Florence tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the third on a two-run bloop single to left field by Collins Cuthrell off Wild Things starter Chase Cunningham (3-0). The Freedom would take their only lead of the game two batters later, when Tekyl legged out an infield single, scoring Jose Brizuela from third with two out.

Alexander Fernandez delivered the decisive blow in the fourth inning, however, taking Wendorf deep for a three-run homer that gave Washington a 5-3 lead. Following Wendorfs departure after three and two-thirds innings, a total of seven relievers would pitch the rest of the way for Florence, with Eli Garcia yielding an additional three runs in the seventh inning and Kyle Doerr allowing one final Wild Things run in the eighth.

Cunningham earned the win, tossing six innings and holding the Freedom to three runs on five hits. Relievers Davis Adkins and Zach Strecker pitched two and one inning, respectively, with the latter allowing a Cuthrell RBI-single in the ninth.

The Freedom will travel to Crestwood, Ill. on Tuesday to open a three-game series against the Windy City ThunderBolts. Tony Vocca (3-2) will pitch for Florence against Windy Citys Kyle Von Ruden (1-2), with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Central Time at Standard Bank Stadium.

The Florence Freedom are members of the independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY.The Freedom can be found online at FlorenceFreedom.com, or by phone at 859-594-4487.Freedom

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Freedom fall 9-4 in series finale Sunday; take two of three from Wild Things before heading on the road - User-generated content (press release)...

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- More than 150 people attended the first Equality March in Naples on Sunday. The event was organized by Collier Freedom, the same group that held the Women's March and Tax March earlier this year.

"I never thought that so many people in the community were living in the closest. We have heard that not just LGBT community, but democrats and progressives you know they didn't think they had a supportive community," said Collier Freedom organizer Karynn Cavero.

Cavero is one of the founders of Collier Freedom. The nonprofit was created after President Trump was elected into officer earlier this year.

"You know things have to happen in order for action to happen so here it is. I don't want say anything negative unfortunately, but it's brought a lot of positively to the county," said Cavero.

On Sunday, the organization held its first equality march in Naples.

"We think those who want to use the bible to hit people upside the head should focus on the verse in Matthew that says love one another, period, no exceptions," said Ft. Myers resident Wes Wright.

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Collier Freedom hosts first Equality March in Cambier Park - Fox 4

By now all Freedom residents should know public comment for the 2017 Freedom Community Comprehensive Plan ends on June 20, at which point the Planning and Zoning Commission could approve the plan and send it to the Board of County Commissioners for a 60-day review.

Now is the time for all of us to demand better. Freedom Area roads are overcrowded, our schools are the only ones at or near capacity. We ask for better restaurants, better retail choices and more places for family recreation. We get another grocery store. If you are tired of being ignored, read on.

Here are some of the summary of recommendations that county planning department wrote as part of the rationale for updating the comprehensive plan.

Here's what they say: Facilitate residential infill development in character with the existing housing in Freedom's established neighborhoods.

Here's the reality: The planning department proposes to increase the densities on three large parcels Gibson, Beatty and Wolf without justification from the property owners to show how the change benefits the community. None of the increased densities will match the character of the surrounding neighborhoods. The development of these parcels could mean an increase of over 600 homes in an area where schools are at or near capacity and roads are already clogged with congestion. No one property owner's rights are more important than any others.

Here's what they say: Increase the amount of land designated for commercial and light industrial uses in the areas targeted for economic development.

Here's the reality: The intersection of Md. 32 and Md. 26 remains the center of commerce. From the inception of the Comprehensive Mini Plan for the Freedom Area and Environs, the stated and expected areas of development have always been the Md. 26 and Md. 32 corridors, not our quiet residential neighborhoods. We have many vacant storefronts and land in that corridor yet the county planning department wants to put commercial and light industrial uses in the same neighborhoods they promised to protect in item one.

Here's what they say: Ensure that the development review process is predictable, consistent and evenly applied.

Here's the reality: If the county planning department refuses to update our 15-year-old zoning codes before moving forward with this plan we will be open to other costly and time consuming lawsuits that pit the county against itself. The perfect example is the assisted living facility on Oklahoma Road. A similar facility can be built anywhere in the county because the zoning that allows it is still in place. As long as the county continues to change zoning amendments, like Amendment 156, to favor developers we will not have an evenly applied process. Predictability? Well just go back to items one and two.

The State of Maryland has set forth "The 12 State Planning Visions" which the county is required to address when revising our plan. Vision No. 2 is public participation: "citizens are active partners in the planning and implementation of community initiatives and are sensitive to their responsibilities in achieving community goals."

Unfortunately, citizens have only been allowed to react to the plan put forth by the county not be active participants. For over four months, the county planning department met without actively seeking public participation. How long would have this continued if a group of advocates not heard the plan was under revision and contacted the county planning department?

All but one member of the Planning and Zoning Commission lives outside the Freedom area. That so many citizens who live in the northern part of the county are making decisions for us is illogical and disingenuous.

The large parcels being considered for development in this plan are within 5 miles of Bennett Road, so logically the majority of concerned citizens come from this area. Throughout this process, falsehoods have been perpetuated that our resistance to this plan is because "we don't want that in our backyard." I think a more accurate and realistic assessment is that the rest of the county doesn't want it in theirs. We certainly don't expect the county not to grow, we are simply demanding accountability and the predictability and consistency the county is required to give.

It is not only our right but our duty to be informed and involved in our community. Openness, accountability and honesty are the traits of government transparency. Transparency is a government's obligation to share information with citizens. It is the heart of how citizens hold our elected officials, and government employees, accountable.

I am respectfully requesting that the Freedom Plan continue to be reworked until the county can meet the goals that they, the State of Maryland and we the citizens have set for them. If you agree write to the county commissioners at commissioners@cccg.carr.org and the planning and zoning commission at ccplanning@ccg.carr.org and tell them so.

Kimberly Madeja writes from Eldersburg.

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Madeja: Keep working on Freedom Plan to get it right - Carroll County Times

More than two centuries ago, Thomas Paine wrote that society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution raised enormous optimism among millions of Filipinos that democracy and progress are finally on the way. But three decades later, the nation has remained deeply divided.

Our prejudices against each other do not merely come from obvious political demarcation lines; they are rooted in the hegemonic regional divide. For most Filipinos, Manila evokes images of high-rise structures, elite schools, flyovers and horrendous traffic, while Mindanao is often associated with the Moro rebellion, the rural life and, indeed, severe poverty. Until this day, politics in the country continues to be dominated by aristocrats.

Philippine public life is controlled by a very limited number of rich families and politicians, who rule in perpetuity by monopolizing power in government. In this way, politics has only become that existential burden in our never-ending search for happiness as a society. But nation-building is a serious question that should concern every Filipino. Andres Bonifacios Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa rightly comes to mind.

But all our hopes for this God-forsaken land might just remain utopian because no rich man will unconditionally give his wealth to the poor. And so, we are a country of dreamsdreams of peace and prosperity, dreams of love and happiness. Elitist democratic rule breeds social and economic injustice. The harsh reality is that it results in the marginalization and exclusion of millions among us.

The poor are wanting in what Pierre Bourdieu calls cultural capital. Since the civic sphere has become almost the exclusive domain of the educated class, the majority of Filipinos are unduly denied of a platform or sounding board for them to critically express their legitimate protests against the abuses so often perpetrated by those who are in positions of power.

Yet politics is not just a matter of class interest. A nation is formed by its culture and history. Solidarity is also that enduring quest for a community that dignifies the life of each and truly respects the uniqueness of every person. But the road to institutional reform that leads to justice and equality is a dreary and treacherous journey.

Many among us lead unhappy lives. Millions toil without ever seeing the fruits of their labor, and millions more persist in this cruel world even if they are not really sure of achieving their modest goals in life. Perhaps, such is the sad tapestry on which our destiny as a nation is founded. But while most poor parents may not see the change in the lives of their children, they will continue to carry in their hearts the spirit and passion to pursue all that needs to be done.

It is not the task of political philosophy to preach to the world what men and women ought to be. Human freedom, G.W.F. Hegel teaches us, is a life and death struggle. Philippine politics is defined by conflicts and particular interests. It is only in the recognition of the right of each Filipino to a decent life that this society may be able to throw away the many forms of unwarranted privilege so wrongly enjoyed by the very few.

President Dutertes unsmiling radicalism is not the greatest threat to our freedom. Rather, it is our divisiveness. This is the most difficult obstacle in the effort to overcome the many decades of misery to which thousands upon thousands of Filipinos have been subjected. In the end, we must find that common ground that will bind us together as a nation. The sacrifice of democratic ideals can only mean the irreparable loss of our liberties. Thus, the standard of reasonableness should be the lever on which the future of this nation must depend.

Christopher Ryan Maboloc, PhD, is assistant professor of philosophy at Ateneo de Davao University.

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The greatest threat to our freedom - Inquirer.net

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte has called on Filipinos to honor the heroism of those who fought for the Philippines freedom by performing their civic duties and protecting the countrys sovereignty.

In his Independence Day message, the President noted that thousands laid down their lives more than a century ago so that Filipinos today may live with the dignity and rights befitting a free nation.

Let us take inspiration from our forebears who valiantly fought and offered their lives so that we may have the liberties that we enjoy today. Let us pay homage to their heroism by preserving our sovereignt and performing our own civic rights and responsibilities, Duterte said.

After all, it is our inherent duty as citizens to ensure that the Philippines fulfills its destiny as a great and prosperous nation, he added.

Duterte also said the countrys journey to freedom was a long and arduous one and involved blood, sweat and the ultimate act of selfless sacrifice.

Despite the insurmountable hardships, the patriotism and undaunted spirit of the Filipino led to our triumph against the shackles of slavery and abuse, the President added.

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The Philippines is celebrating today the 119th anniversary of the proclamation of its independence from Spain.

Photo shows President Duterte comforting a relative of slain S/Sgt. Joven Triston upon arrival of the remains at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City from Cagayan de Oro last night. MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

Duterte will lead the flag-raising and wreath laying ceremonies in Rizal Park in Manila. Independence Day rites will also be held in Pampanga, Laguna, Davao City, Bukidnon, Baguio City, Iloilo, Cavite, Bulacan, Caloocan and San Juan.

But Duterte cancelled the traditional vin dhonneur to attend to matters in Mindanao, which has been placed under martial law because of terrorist threats.

Vice President Leni Robredo will also attend the wreath-laying ceremonies in Rizal Park. In the afternoon, she is expected to attend a democracy summit at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Robredo asked Filipinos to honor the soldiers and policemen who fought for freedom in Marawi City.

The military aims to raise the Philippine flag in Marawi this Independence Day to show that the government has regained control of the countrys only Islamic City after almost three weeks of intense fighting with extremists, who had claimed allegiance to the terrorist organization Islamic State.

On Independence Day, lets not forget the heroism of our countrymen who continue to fight members of the Maute terror group in Marawi City, Robredo saidyesterdayover her weekly program over dzXL BISErbisyong Leni.

Robredo said she hopes Filipinos today would be inspired by Philippines gaining of independence 119 years ago.

Senators also called on Filipinos to fight for freedom from terror, injustice and poverty amid the proliferation of fake news and online persecution that they said undermine the countrys democracy.

Liberal Party Senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Francis Pangilinan in separate statements said 119 years after the countrys obtained its independence because of the sacrifices of heroes, its democracy continues to be under threat.

Pangilinan cited the ongoing battle in Marawi City as well the imposition of martial law in Mindanao; high-poverty incidence; inaccessibility of education, and proliferation of fake news.

He said he wished that Filipinos be free from fake news and lies.

As one nation, we have gone through many trials. We owe that to those who gave their lives and sacrificed our heroes, ordinary people who responded to the challenge of history, Pangilinan said in Filipino.

Aquino said Filipinos in the past fought for independence from foreign rule, and fought for freedom from a ruthless dictator, referring to the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Now, we fight terrorism, encroachment on our territory and our freedom to dissent, the senator said.

In an era of fake news, rabid online persecution and weak political institutions, we need to fight for our democracy now more than ever, he said.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima saluted the countrys modern day heroes overseas Filipino workers, teachers, government workers and media, as well as hardworking Filipinos who toil for their families.

De Lima also thanked the soldiers and policemen who continue to battle Maute militants in Marawi City to protect the country from terrorism.

We call on the Duterte regime to stop your crooked system of governance. The country cannot grow by killing our poor countrymen, she said, referring to the drug-related extrajudicial killings that critics said have only victimized low-level pushers.

Sen. Joel Villanueva is set to file a bill penalizing those who maliciously create and intentionally spread fake news in print, broadcast or online following the false claims of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II implicating some opposition lawmakers in the conflict in Marawi City. Alexis Romero, Helen Flores, Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte-Felipe

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Duterte: Honor those who fought for Phl's freedom - Philippine Star

Hundreds crowded the Jepson Center on Saturday to celebrate freedom and African culture during the museums 11th annual Juneteenth celebration.

Juneteenth, which is celebrated on June 19, recognizes June 19, 1865 the day Texas, the last state to abolish slavery, emancipated its slaves.

Today is about freedom, said Harry DeLorme, museum senior coordinator. We have a little bit of everything for everyone and some great performances.

The museums event was held Saturday to avoid clashing with other Juneteenth celebrations in the city, DeLorme said.

The family-friendly event, which ran from 1 to 4 p.m., featured cultural exhibits, kids activities and live dance performances from local groups such as the Abeni Cultural Arts Performing Dance Studio.

Dance is universal, said Devan Cokley, an Abeni dancer. People should know that there is more out there besides ballet, jazz and others typical things that you make think of. Through dance, you can celebrate a culture and African dances celebrate the African culture and our roots.

Visitors also got the opportunity to learn about historic traditions such as the basket making and creations of Kente Cloth and participated in a libations ceremony.

Vaughnette Goode-Walker, who coordinates the annual event at the Jepson, said she has seen history change before her eyes in Savannah.

This is all about history, Goode-Walker said.

And Saturday was all about learning from history to create a better future, according to Gregory Grant, a basket maker tabling at Saturdays event.

There is the legend of the Sankofa Bird that flies forward with its head looking backward, he said. You cannot know where you are going without knowing where you came from.

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Savannah celebrates freedom at annual Juneteenth event - Savannah Morning News

The code of ethics is expected to ban professors from voicing political opinions in classrooms or supporting BDS

The umbrella organization of the heads of Israel's universities has blasted a new ethical code formulated at the behest of the Education Ministry that is expected to bar professors from voicing their political opinions in classrooms.

The code, put together at the request of Education Minister Naftali Bennett by Prof. Asa Kasher, an ethics and philosophy professor at Tel Aviv University, would also forbid staff from calling for an academic boycott of Israel, it was revealed Friday.

"The heads of the universities vehemently object to the 'ethical code' outlining 'proper behavior' for academic facility in Israel.

"The ethical code, proposed by Prof. Asa Kasher, undermines institutes of higher education's freedom to decide their own codes of conduct for their academic staffs, and thus infringes on academic freedom in the most serious and fundamental way," it said, saying the right was enshrined as part of Israeli law.

"A closer examination of the code shows that thought it is titled 'Ethical code for the overlap between academic and political activity,' many of its clauses deal with academic matters like research and teaching in a general way. Thus, the code turns into a list of rules dictated by the authorities regarding the overall practices of academic faculty in Israel.

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"The code's content only reinforces the opposition, on principle, to creating a unified code of conduct for all of Israel's academic institutes," they said in a statement.

Bennett had asked Kasher a few months ago to write a set of rules for appropriate political conduct at academic institutions. Kasher had written the Israel Defense Forces' ethics code.

The contents of the document, which were first reported by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Friday, will soon be submitted for the approval of the Council for Higher Education.

The code would require each institution "to establish a unit that would monitor political activity" on campus, the document says. The unit could be an existing system, like an ethics committee, or a new department managed by the institution's academic staff. So far institutions have not been required to reply to students' complaints or inquiries on political activity, according to Kasher. The new units would remedy that.

In a statement, Bennett's office said the code would bar lecturers from "promoting their political worldview in class."

"If a lecturer does talk [about politics], and one of the students complains about it, that lecturer could receive a disciplinary citation from the institution," the statement said. Should the lecturer ignore the warning, he may face harsher disciplinary action.

The code also bars academic staff from taking part in or calling for an academic boycott of Israel, and forbids collaboration with organizations that are considered political. The education minister's office said that while it supports absolute academic freedom, it opposes "the promotion of lecturers' political agendas in the academe."

"It's unacceptable that students are afraid to express their opinions in class for fear for their grades, or that lecturers call for a boycott of the institution where they teach," the statement said. "This isn't against any political side and anyway there is no reason for any side to object."

In December, the Committee of University Heads urged Bennett to scrap a plan to draft an ethics code after Haaretz first reported on it. Universities need to continue maintaining independent disciplinary systems, the committee said at the time, warning that a code dictated by an outside authority would violate the freedom of expression.

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Israeli University Heads Blast New Ethical Code as Undermining Academic Freedom - Haaretz

As we celebrate our Independence Day today we cant do so without a long look at the sacrifices made by so many to achieve it. Thats the true spirit of independence or kalayaan and you can be sure that the liberties you are enjoying now came a high cost for those youve never even met. Truly I dont know if the youth or even the older generations still understand the cost of freedom. In our history the cost of our independence was paid in blood.

I know that we take our freedom for granted in so many ways today. The same freedom of speech we have we abuse when we raise our voices in anger at one another and make slanderous claims. The same freedom we have to peaceful protest has lost its meaning when every single week there is a protest about one thing or another. Lets face it, in so many ways, weve forgotten what that freedom or independence truly means in our every day lives and squander it.

Now Ill admit that most of the time it is unintentional. We are just so used to having the freedom that we have now that we dont stop to think how different our lives would have been if we were born 119 years ago. How one wrong word could have landed us in jail or how having an opinion could put you in front of the firing squad. It seems so much time has passed that we have forgotten what it must have been like to not have liberties and all the sacrifices so many made so that we could enjoy our freedom today.

History buffs have been reminding us for years, and especially in this last year alone, that those who dont know their history are doomed to repeat it. And that seems to be truer now than ever before. While some kids can give you a rough idea of what we celebrate today most cannot. Most cant even remember Martial Law era of the 1980s let alone the bloody battles over 100 years ago. They were born into the world they live in now and behave as though that is the way it has always been.

I cant blame them. Perhaps we have all gotten complacent when it comes to the freedom we enjoy in our every day life. When things dont go our way we go online and rant about them. We videotape every altercation and put people on trial in the court of public opinion. We elect officials haphazardly and when they fail to live up to our expectations we immediately think of ways to impeach them. We take to the streets without reverence and we think that we are fighting the same way our forefathers did. Honestly, I think most of us cant even comprehend what that must have been like.

Would you march out of our comfortable homes with the same fervor if you knew you would have to pay the ultimate price? Would your rants on social media be as loud if the punishment was the same? I dont know. Maybe for some of us they would be but not for the majority who would soon realize that the cost of the actions would need to be paid in blood and sometimes not even by them but by those they love.

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I think remembering what our freedom truly cost is something extremely important as we celebrate our Independence Day. Its even more poignant now than ever before because as we are celebrating here in Manila and around the world, battalions of our soldiers have put their lives on the line in Marawi fighting once again for freedom against terror and oppression. Despite the many conflicting opinions about Marawi one thing remains sure these men and women are putting their own lives on the line and deserve our respect and admiration.

In fact the cost of sacrifice once again came to light with the viral story of Army Private First Class Dhan Ryan Bayot. His incredible courage in the face of adversity is something that should inspire us all. This young solider was part of the 51st Infantry Battalion team stationed at Barangay Lilod in Marawi serving as additional security for a local government official stationed above their detachment.

Their battalion was attacked with, if reports prove true, the help of the security men of the local executive who were sympathetic with Maute terrorists. The assault was well planned and overwhelming and even though the battalion radioed for reinforcements none could get through because the way was heavily blocked and guarded by hostiles.

After hours of fighting and with most of his comrades dead, Private Bayot knew the inevitable was near. He radioed his commanding officer and instead of pleading for help or expressing anger and anguish at their situation simply requested Bombahin na lang niyo and location ko, Sir! (Just bomb my location, Sir!). He knew the end was near for him and he wanted to take down as many enemies as he could. He faced death without fear and chose instead courage and the hopes of making the enemies pay an equally high price. That is a hero and that is the price they are willing to pay.

On May 28 the soldiers remains and those of his comrades were finally retrieved. And serve as just one of many reminders that there are just as many brave men and women putting their lives on the line for us today, as there were hundreds of years ago. The men and women who serve our country deserve our respect and admiration whatever our political leanings may be. And today, more than any other, we need to give thanks for the freedom that their sacrifices bought and vow not to take it for granted.

Now, more than ever, we must be the watchmen/women of our own history and make sure that every generation remembers it and reveres it. Happy 119th Araw ng Kalayaan, Philippines and may we all endeavor to be better and do better every day.

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The price of freedom - Philippine Star

Anna Amezola is a Filipino parathlete who joined Saturdays Freedom Walk of PWDs in Quezon City. She is part of the countrys delegation in the 2017 Asean Para Games to be held in Malaysia in September.-Jhesset O. Enano

Rising early and braving the rains on Saturday morning, Anna Amezola was all smiles as she wheeled herself out of her Quezon City home, with a Philippine flag in each hand and a third planted in her ponytail.

Born with cerebral palsy, the 47-year-old Barangay Bagong Silangan resident was one of more than a thousand persons with disabilities (PWDs) who turned up for their annual Freedom Walk, an event timed with the upcoming Independence Day to spread awareness of the challenges faced and gains steadily won by Filipino PWDs.

Amezolas participation in the 7-year-old activity marked her transformation from being a shy, wheelchair-bound girl to a forward-looking achiever: She is one of athletes who will be representing the country in the 2017 Asean Para Games in September.

When I was younger, I just stayed at home and avoided people, she told the Inquirer. But then someone told me to accept my disability and encouraged me to live my life.

I need to win this for the Philippines, she said of her upcoming match in boccia, a ball game specifically created for athletes with cerebral palsy and severe locomotor disabilities such as muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrigs disease.

Representatives from different cities in Metro Manila and several PWD groups used Saturdays event to celebrate the successes of the sector. This years host, Quezon City, was also the site of the first Freedom Walk in 2011 and where at least 51,000 residents are considered PWDs.

According to the 2010 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority, PWDs account for around 1.4 million or around 1.57 percent of the national population.

More than a thousand PWDs join Saturdays event in Quezon City.NIO JESUS ORBETA

The country was one of the first in Asia to have its own law on PWD rights, with the passage of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities in March 1992.

Carmen Zubiaga, director of the National Council for Disability Affairs, noted that more and more local governments had been paying attention to the needs of PWDs. Quezon City, for example, opened a PWD affairs office in 2012.

In the local government units that previously hosted the Freedom Walk (such as Taguig, San Juan and Mandaluyong), they have given more services to PWDs and provided more accessible environments, she said. Now, more and more PWDs are working and studying.

Emer Rojas, president of New Vois Association of the Philippines, said theres a reason why Freedom Walk is held just before the countrys Independence Day.

We seek freedom from the barriers (that keep us from being) productive members of society, said Rojas, who had lost his voice box to laryngeal cancer and needs an electronic device pressed against his throat to make himself audible. We want to show that we are not hindering the country from growth; instead, we want to contribute to that progress.

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PWDs mark challenges, gains in Freedom Walk - Inquirer.net

The June 4 commentary by Edward J. Cleary on protection of free speech over righteous censorship (Tending the flame of freedom ) was outstanding. It presented multiple strong arguments why we must be tolerant of and open to listening to the words of others, even if those words significantly differ from our own beliefs. The commentary was replete with good advice, too many points to adequately re-articulate here. One important focus was on speech code, the protection some seek/demand from thoughts and ideas adverse to their own. Sustaining such a closed environment reinforces a narrow-minded and self-centered populace.

Consider three recent news trends:students turning their backs on or walking out on commencement speakers, constituents shouting at public representatives at open public meetings, and anything to do with President Donald Trump. In each situation, individuals demand the right to voice or act out their opinion, but deny their opponents their equal right to express their own opinion. It is no wonder that our elected representatives are so ineffective. They are simply reflecting the narrow-mindedness of their constituents. Maintenance of free speech, no matter whether one agrees or disagrees, is the basis of democracy. When one denies free speech to others, or refuses to listen, that represents the beginning of the demise of democracy. Democracy provides each of us the right to our own opinions, but it does not provide the right to suppress the opinions of others.

Thomas P. Moyer, Golden Valley

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Readers Write: Freedom of speech, personal spending priorities, the Comey testimony - Minneapolis Star Tribune

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) said Friday that Congress should have a "real proposal" on tax reform that lawmakers can start debating by the end of July.

We believe that time is of the essence, Meadows said at an event at The Heritage Foundation.

The conservative Freedom Caucus took a formal positionearlier this week, calling on the House to work through the August recess to advance GOP priorities such as tax reform.

Meadows said that Congress should cancel recess if there's no detailed tax proposal before August "to make sure that we put the priorities of the American people first on the legislative agenda."

Meadows said that he supports lowering the corporate tax rate as well as the tax rate for businesses whose income is taxed through the individual code. He also wants to allow businesses to have the option of repatriating their foreign earnings at an 8 percent rate over the course of 20 months.

Meadows praised House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin BradyKevin BradyFreedom Caucus chairman: 'Time is of the essence' on tax reform Overnight Healthcare: Conservatives push back on Senate changes to health bill GOP chairman: GOP should continue ObamaCare insurer payments MORE (R-Texas) and the White House for releasing tax reform plans.

But the Freedom Caucus chairman suggested that Congress move on from one part of Brady's plan the border-adjustment proposal to tax imports and exempt exports since it has faced a lot of pushback from lawmakers. Meadows said that Congress should acknowledge that "the political facts are there is not consensus to have a support for the border-adjustment tax.

The Freedom Caucus hasn't taken a formal position on the border-adjustment tax, and its membership is divided on it. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) blasted the provision during the event, while Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) said that he could back legislation that includes the tax.

Brady continued to defend the border-adjustment tax this week, saying it helps to encourage companies to bring jobs back into the United States. He also said that those with concerns about it should "bring us their solutions on how we stop jobs from leaving and more importantly bring them back.

Congressional GOP leaders have said they want tax reform to be revenue neutral.

Jordan said he disagreed.

"Revenue neutral's a fancy way of saying the tax burden stays the same," he said.

Congressional Republicans want to pass tax reform legislation through the Senate with the reconciliation process, which would bypass a potential filibuster and avert the need to court Democratic votes. To do that, Congress first needs to pass a budget for fiscal 2018.

Jordan said that "right now, a budget cannot pass in the House of Representatives." The Freedom Caucus is discussing accepting a higher budget number if welfare reforms are included in a tax bill, he said.

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Freedom Caucus chairman: 'Time is of the essence' on tax reform - The Hill